D&D 5E Psionics in 5e: how?

[Olgar Shiverstone]

How about 1E's approach: psionics rules everything else and breaks the game?

[/snark]

I liked the direction 4E moved in - Psionics was effectively another style of magic, and shared a lot of the basic rules. It was just different enough to feel different, but there was only a little additional mechanics required.

I also prefer, fluff-wise, the psionics-as-willpower-magic as opposed to the psionics-as-talents/disciplines (which, due to my age, puts me in mind of 70's sci-fi and not fantasy). I quite liked Rolemaster's take on that, and 4E's power sources with psionics being one of a set, sat well with me for the same reason.

Mechanically, I agree with this approach.

For presentation, I hope 5E psionics are in a separate module in a separate book so I can safely continue to ignore them.

 

[dkyle]

Never really understood why Psionics should be so controversial, or why people should expect it to be so different from magic. Just seems like another fluff for magic, to me.

I do understand, of course, what a complete and utter mess it was in 2E and before, and that gave it a bad rep, but by 3E, I don't see much controversial about it.

 

[Someone]

Behold the power of boredom. A poor attempt at psionics rules.

You can use, dislike, suggest or alter them as you like. If anyone likes it, I may include the psychic warrior when we know exactly what combat superiority dice can do.

 

[Steely_Dan]

The 1st Ed Psionic rules are hilarious (but still have style), I mean, really, please read them in the 1st Ed PHB (it really is an exercise).

 

[Steely_Dan]

If anyone likes it, I may include the psychic warrior when we know exactly what combat superiority dice can do.

Is that this King of Smack (I know, passe)?

 

[Someone]

Is that this King of Smack (I know, passe)?

I had to google that to know what the heck was about.

 

[Steely_Dan]

I had to google that to know what the heck was about.

I know, silly (or a mathematical challenge?), right, the lengths people will go.

 

[SkidAce]

....must spread EXP etc... [MENTION=17106]Ahnehnois[/MENTION].


I am still using the Psychic's Handbook. It would be a good model for 5e, tweaked.

 

[Ahnehnois]

I am still using the Psychic's Handbook. It would be a good model for 5e, tweaked.

I think the basic system presents a naturalistic feel distinct from magic but well within the d20 framework, and is inherently modular (as DMs are encouraged to simply ban or use each talent-telepathy, psychokinesis, etc.-at their discretion). I also think the scaling of the skills is really wacky and unbalanced, and the classes are boring and not powerful enough, but those things are fixable (and I am fixing them aggressively).

 

[Dragonhelm]

I would hope for a system like the 3.5 rules myself. It had power points, and a great crystal motif. I liked it as it reminded me of the 2e psionics system, save that with levels for powers, everything balanced out.